Question

Describe the technology that has successfully increased the herd size of cattle in a short time to meet the increasing demands of growing human population.

Answer 1

Hint: Controlled breeding experiments are carried out by using two methods one is artificial insemination i.e. semen is collected from the desired male and is later injected into the reproductive tract of the female and the other one is multiple ovulation embryo transfer te

Complete answer:
Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology (MOET) is the technology that has been used nowadays to increase the herd size of cattle. About 6-8 cattle can be administered at a single time. This technique is basically carried out to ensure successful production of hybrids. In this technique, the female is administered with hormonal activity like follicle stimulating hormone(FSH). This hormone in the cow further induces the follicular maturation and also leads to super ovulation. When super ovulation means that the cow is capable of producing 6-8 eggs instead of one egg per cycle that it normally produces. Then all of these eggs are either fertilised with the desired or say elite bull by artificial insemination. Then the fertilised eggs are allowed to grow upto 8-32 celled stage where then they are recovered non- surgically and these are then transferred to the surrogate mothers. The genetic or biological mother can be again administered with the process of superovulation. This technique is not successful in cattle, sheep and buffaloes and is important for animal breeders.

Note: The calf produced by this method is of high quality as desired characters were selected for selection of parents. A week old embryo can also be preserved for several years and can be transplanted when required.